Iselle downgraded to tropical storm

This satellite image shows Iselle approaching the Island of Hawaii, left, as Hurricane Julio with a well defined eye follows. (AP)Clouds hang over Honolulu, as Hawaii is expected to take its first direct hurricane hit in 22 years (AP)Crowds line up inside the departures terminal at Honolulu International Airport (AP)

A hurricane bringing heavy rain and high winds to Hawaii has been downgraded to a tropical storm.

The US National Weather Service said Iselle became a tropical storm when its winds slowed to 70mph, but it advised residents should still take precautions to protect them from severe conditions.

Iselle is the first tropical storm to hit the state in 22 years, and another hurricane is following in its path.

Hurricane Julio, a category three storm, is about 1,000 miles behind in the Pacific.

Iselle, which is moving at 10mph, was passing across the Big Island but was also expected to send rain and high winds to the rest of the state today. The storm's predicted track has it skirting just south of the other islands.

People have flowed into emergency shelters on the Big Island, airlines have cancelled flights and the National Guard is at the ready.